The traveler is at the core of the travel plan. Any plan that suits and fulfills the needs of travelers is just the apt one. Every trip that a travel operator plans and executes is strategic for each experience is unique. Indeed it lays the stepping stone for customers to be loyal to them. But something has changed drastically.

Technology has transformed travel solutions. The entire experience of travel is accompanied at each step with technology. We cannot deny the fact that technology has deeply impacted the travel industry and we have transitioned from cumbersome and time-consuming processes to convenient and quick solutions.

What has changed in the past decade?

The travel experience and processes have improved. Customer service, business model, tools, and platforms for marketing travel packages, have changed. Everything is simplified and more
organized.

People all around the world wish to explore new destinations. Especially, millennials have discovered that travel is a significant part of self-growth and self-transformation. Often its therapeutic and every journey is a rebirth. Now there are no restrictions or inhibitions about planning trips to distant and remote destinations.

All thanks to technology, which not only facilitates processes but renders a memorable experience. Isn’t it all about comfortable travel and collecting a collage of memories that will inspire future travel plans.

How technology is transforming travel plans and solutions?

Travel in the digital world:

The customer is now tech-savvy. Right from knowing various destinations, to planning the entire trip, the customer relies heavily on the digital format. Let’s talk about how it works. You wish to go on a vacation. You immediately start surfing the internet and exploring various destinations. The next step is to connect with a tour operator and they often are listed on various travel sites. Some have offices all around the world while some conduct business online.

Everything is planned as per your preferences with various choices of hotels, air flights, road travel, and destinations. This is done online – which means the whole trip is planned online. Thus, having an online presence is imperative. Tour operators and travel agents need a system to manage online hotel booking and flight booking.

ETOS has seamless and mobile responsive online hotel and flight booking software or engine.

 
One-stop solutions:

Now customers prefer to have all their travel needs fulfilled by one tour operator. Suggesting destinations, planning the itinerary, flights, road travel, hotel booking, and just about everything is expected to be delivered by one operator. They find it cumbersome and time-consuming to have all these facilities offered by various companies as it is difficult to keep connecting with so many providers.

Thus, it’s obvious if you are working in a silo the possibility of customers approaching you is minimal and business will dwindle.

Virtual Reality and Virtual Assistant

Virtual is the new real.

AI AND VR should be used by travel companies to gain a competitive edge. During the booking phase, VR helps to take the final decision if they have some doubts in mind.

How can travel companies assist travelers to decide? Through Virtual tours that gives an actual view into the rooms and facilities as opposed to static images. The prospective customer shouldn’t refrain from choosing a hotel just because he or she isn’t aware of what the place looks like.

Sights can also be explored through virtual tours prior to booking tickets. Virtual Assistants can help travelers to know more about the destination they are visiting. It creates a personal connection with customers. Any hotel that uses Virtual Reality can ensure that the customer is comfortable and has personalized communication.

Big data making a big difference

Travel operators and agents can store customers' information and use it to target the apt audience for their marketing campaigns. They can study and analyze the database to reach their prospective customers bringing success to their marketing strategy. They can better segment their marketing campaigns to drive the best results from the marketing budget.
 

Customized travel plans

The best way to generate business is to know more about your customer. Big data is one way that can reveal more about a customer. Tour operators collect data about customers.

Think about using all this data to study the travelers' needs and preferences for airlines, hotels, kinds of destinations, adventures, etc. Once the tour operator and agents have this data, they can come up with a travel plan that fits the choice of travelers. These customized travel plans are preferred by travelers these days.
 

Sharing Memories:

The present gives way to the future. On basis of the present experience, we plan our future. So, as soon as a travel tour ends, we all begin planning the next tour. How can tour operators make the most of this moment? The answer is requesting reviews and feedback.

Now tour operators ask customers/travelers to share online their happy moments of the tour. This is a new way to keep in touch with the customers and generate more leads. In fact, in simple words and conventional marketing terms are called ‘word of mouth’. The only difference is it is done online and provides a wider reach. There are various platforms where customers can share their feedback or testimonials.

People around the globe read these reviews and this leaves a far more lasting impression on the mind of prospective customers. As the travel industry is on its own journey of transformation, tour operators and travel agents need to look at their positioning and audiences differently. They have to align themselves to the changing approach of travelers and capture their attention. It's time they become future-ready.

We at ETOS can assist travel operators and travel agents to be future-ready. We are passionate about travel and aim to elevate the experience of each traveler. In the endeavor, we have designed solutions apt for the travel technology space.

Get in touch with the ETOS team today to know more.